WSU offensive linemen leaning on versatility as spring practices roll on

Cougars' front five sees plenty of shuffling as coaches evaluate lineup options

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:05am

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A fragmented, multi-angled painting depicting the movements and positions of an offensive line, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in crimson red, gray, and white.Washington State's offensive line unit showcases its versatility and adaptability through a cubist, geometric interpretation.Washington Today

Washington State's offensive line has seen a lot of shuffling during spring practices, with players like Jonny Lester and Noah Dunham taking reps at multiple positions. Head coach Kirby Moore and offensive line coach Jack Abercrombie have been evaluating different lineup combinations as they look to solidify the Cougars' front five ahead of the upcoming season.

Why it matters

Developing versatility and flexibility along the offensive line is crucial for Washington State, as injuries and depth concerns have plagued the unit in recent seasons. The coaching staff's willingness to experiment with different lineup configurations suggests they are focused on building a cohesive and adaptable group that can withstand the rigors of the Pac-12 schedule.

The details

In Tuesday's practice, WSU's top offensive line group featured Ashton Tripp at left tackle, Kyle Martin at left guard, Dunham at center, incoming redshirt sophomore Nick Bakken at right guard, and Lester at right tackle. This was a departure from the usual alignment, with Lester often playing guard and the recently transferred Maximus McRee filling in at right tackle. Coaches have been mixing and matching players at various positions to evaluate their versatility and find the best combination.

  • Washington State is currently in the midst of spring football practices.
  • The Cougars' ninth practice of the spring slate took place on Tuesday.

The players

Kirby Moore

The head coach of the Washington State football team.

Jack Abercrombie

The offensive line coach for the Washington State football team.

Ashton Tripp

The starting left tackle for the Washington State offensive line.

Jonny Lester

A versatile offensive lineman for Washington State who has played both guard and tackle positions.

Kyle Martin

The starting center for the Washington State offensive line, who has experience backing up the previous starter.

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What they’re saying

“I think Jonny's a student of the game. I think he really works at it. I think he's a steady Eddie from an emotional consistency standpoint, and just his knowledge and detail at the offensive line position shows up. Any time you know what the guy next to you is doing, I think that helps you play faster and can play a variety of spots.”

— Kirby Moore, Head Coach

“It's really just making sure it can never hurt having to play center. Making sure I understand that I can get reps wherever. So I'm kind of pretty versatile when it comes to that.”

— Noah Dunham, Offensive Lineman

What’s next

As Washington State continues spring practices, the coaching staff will likely continue to experiment with different offensive line combinations to find the best starting five ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Washington State's offensive line is focused on developing versatility and adaptability this spring, with players like Jonny Lester and Noah Dunham taking reps at multiple positions. This flexibility will be crucial for the Cougars as they look to build a cohesive and resilient front five that can withstand the challenges of the Pac-12 schedule.